CONCRETE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY RESEARCH · PDF file- 1 - 1 INTRODUCTION AND...
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CONCRETE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY RESEARCH UNIT ANNUAL REPORT 2014
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Transcript of CONCRETE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY RESEARCH · PDF file- 1 - 1 INTRODUCTION AND...
CONCRETE MATERIALS AND
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY RESEARCH UNIT
ANNUAL REPORT 2014
Annual Report 2014
Concrete Materials & Structural Integrity Research Unit
Department of Civil Engineering University of Cape Town
DIRECTORS: Professor Mark Alexander [email protected]
Professor Pilate Moyo [email protected]
Associate Professor Hans Beushausen [email protected]
Concrete Materials & Structural Integrity Research Unit
University of Cape Town
Department of Civil Engineering
RONDEBOSCH
Tel: +27 (0) 21 6501082
Fax: +27 (0)21 6897471
http://www.comsiru.uct.ac.za/
Contents
1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ..................................................... - 1 -
2 HIGH-LEVEL OBJECTIVES ............................................................. - 2 -
2.1 Expand and improve the pool of high-level skills in concrete materials and structural engineering, in South Africa- 2 -
2.2 Influence the culture and practice of design .............................................................................. - 2 -
2.3 Improve management of the infrastructure ............................................................................... - 3 -
2.4 Embed durability and sustainability in all aspects of concrete structural/civil engineering ....................... - 3 -
2.5 Promote structural health monitoring as a key tool for structural performance assessment....................... - 3 -
2.6 Influence Codes of Practice ................................................................................................. - 4 -
3 RESEARCH AND STUDENT TRAINING ................................................ - 5 -
4 AREAS OF RESEARCH ................................................................. - 6 -
4.1 Concrete materials and concrete construction ........................................................................... - 6 -
4.2 Structural Integrity and health monitoring, and loading on bridges and structures ................................. - 6 -
4.3 Research topic areas ......................................................................................................... - 6 -
5 IMPACT OF RESEARCH – HIGH LEVEL ............................................... - 8 -
6 STUDENTS REGISTERED AND PROGRESS ........................................... - 9 -
6.1 Post Graduate students – details and research topics ................................................................... - 10 -
6.2 Undergraduate students (final year dissertation students in our areas of research) ............................... - 13 -
7 PUBLICATIONS 2014 ................................................................. - 14 -
7.1 Books .......................................................................................................................... - 14 -
7.2 Refereed/peer reviewed journals ......................................................................................... - 14 -
7.3 Proceedings of refereed international conferences ..................................................................... - 15 -
7.4 Proceedings of other conferences and symposia ........................................................................ - 16 -
7.5 Editor of conference proceedings ......................................................................................... - 16 -
7.6 Oral Presentations: .......................................................................................................... - 16 -
7.7 Papers in non-peer reviewed journals; un-refereed articles ........................................................... - 17 -
7.8 Papers accepted or submitted for publication or presentation: ....................................................... - 17 -
7.9 Papers in preparation: ...................................................................................................... - 18 -
8 AWARDS, PRIZES, AND APPOINTMENTS DURING 2014 ........................... - 19 -
9 RESEARCH IMPACTS AND RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR UNDER REVIEW - 20 -
9.1 Durability test methods and standards .................................................................................... - 20 -
9.2 Number of student graduates and publications .......................................................................... - 20 -
9.3 New approaches .............................................................................................................. - 20 -
9.4 International .................................................................................................................. - 20 -
10 COLLABORATIONS AND LINKAGES.................................................. - 21 -
10.1 Local collaborations ......................................................................................................... - 21 -
10.2 International Collaborations ................................................................................................ - 21 -
10.3 Visiting Scholars and Researchers .......................................................................................... - 23 -
10.4 CoMSIRU Advisory Panel ..................................................................................................... - 24 -
10.5 Industrial Linkages ........................................................................................................... - 25 -
11 CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS .......................................... - 26 -
12 ACTIVITIES OF AND COLLABORATION WITH HRAs ............................... - 27 -
13 LAB AND OTHER EXTERNAL WORK UNDERTAKEN ................................ - 28 -
14 CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME .... - 29 -
15 ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ................................................ - 30 -
15.1 Governance ................................................................................................................... - 30 -
15.2 Organogram ................................................................................................................... - 30 -
15.3 Staff active in the research unit for 2014 ................................................................................ - 31 -
15.4 Staffing movements and challenges ....................................................................................... - 31 -
15.5 Risks ........................................................................................................................... - 31 -
15.6 Opportunities ................................................................................................................. - 32 -
16 APPENDICES ........................................................................... - 33 -
- 1 -
1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
The Concrete Materials and Structural Integrity Research Unit (CoMSIRU) is a major
research entity in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Cape
Town. It attracts annual industry support and funding, interacts with industry to set
and monitor research priorities, and produces a steady stream of scientific,
technological and human resource outputs.
The Research is strongly informed by the needs of owners and managers of large
stocks of reinforced concrete infrastructure such as Eskom, the South African
National Roads Agency, Department of Water Affairs and Environment, etc.
Technology transfer activities (in the form of scientific papers, easy-read
monographs, short courses and seminars) aimed at such entities, as well as the
general cement and concrete industry and associated sectors of the economy, are
also an important component.
The Research Programme is closely integrated with the postgraduate teaching
programmes in Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance and Structural
Engineering and Materials in the Department of Civil Engineering. Research students
generally undertake a suite of postgraduate courses to improve their knowledge and
to prepare them for their research work. Most students undertake an MSc (Eng)
degree by way of 60 credits (min) of advanced coursework and a 120 credit research
dissertation. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of doctoral research
students, and in 2014-15 we took in two postdoctoral researchers.
- 2 -
2 HIGH-LEVEL OBJECTIVES
CoMSIRU takes as a foundational philosophy the importance of developing high-level
human resources for industry, academia and research. Research is a means towards
this goal, and not an end in itself. This means that our research and activities are
student-centred. We endeavour to foster a collaborative attitude, critical thinking,
and independent views among students and encourage them to work in teams
wherever possible. We also regularly bring them into contact with industry and its
needs so that they can better understand how their own research influences
engineering practice.
In view of this, the high-level objectives of CoMSIRU are:
2.1 Expand and improve the pool of high-level skills in concrete materials and
structural engineering, in South Africa
Our first responsibility is to educate and train students in the knowledge and
application of concrete and concrete structures. This is done mainly via the pool of
high-level research students (Masters and Doctoral) in our teaching and research
programmes. We aim to expand and improve intellectual capacity for the concrete
industry.
2.2 Influence the culture and practice of design
This needs to be done by creating a fundamental understanding in students and
practitioners of the critical importance of materials in structural/civil design of
infrastructure.
To do this we will undertake research aimed at the following aspects:
Performance design.
Life-cycle design.
Materials and durability-based design.
These are considered points of departure from conventional design philosophies.
- 3 -
In addition, our post graduate courses and technology transfer activities will have a
strong component of materials engineering and performance.
2.3 Improve management of the infrastructure
This will involve:
Creating awareness of this topic among students and engineers.
Developing improved understanding of deterioration mechanisms and
maintenance/repair strategies.
Mounting a ‘Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance’ programme
from 2014 to more directly address this important issue.
2.4 Embed durability and sustainability in all aspects of concrete structural/civil
engineering
This will require us to:
Develop a more inclusive and integrated approach to design and management
of infrastructure, in which a long-term, life-cycle approach is promoted.
Consider resource efficiency for civil infrastructure in terms of design and
construction practice.
Consider ways of practical implementation of sustainability in structural/civil
design, through re-thinking the design process.
2.5 Promote structural health monitoring as a key tool for structural
performance assessment
This will include:
Developing and implementing strategies for monitoring and evaluating
structural performance based on appropriate sensing and data analysis
procedures.
Developing and implementing structural rehabilitation and retrofitting based
on as built behaviour of structures.
Developing strategies for transfer of structural health monitoring technology.
- 4 -
2.6 Influence Codes of Practice
We will need to:
Actively participate in writing and editing codes of practice and specifications,
and drafting new test methods.
Assist engineers with interpretation and application of codes using alternative
philosophies and approaches.
While CoMSIRU’s objective is to educate and develop students mainly at the
postgraduate level, we also engage with undergraduate students both in taught
courses and in final year individual theses. In this way, research benefits and
advances are passed on to the current cohort of students.
- 5 -
3 RESEARCH AND STUDENT TRAINING
As indicated under ‘HIGH-LEVEL OBJECTIVES’, CoMSIRU takes as a foundational
philosophy the importance of developing high-level human resources for industry.
Research is a vehicle towards this goal, and not an end in itself. Therefore, student
education and training are our top priorities, and our activities are focused on these
priorities.
- 6 -
4 AREAS OF RESEARCH
CoMSIRU has two broad research thrusts. These intersect in key loci to permit
interdisciplinary development.
4.1 Concrete materials and concrete construction
Performance of cementitious materials.
Deterioration studies on concrete structures.
Durability studies on concrete structures.
Development of durability-based design philosophies and practice.
Development and verification of service life models.
Repair and rehabilitation materials and methods.
Sustainability of concrete construction.
4.2 Structural Integrity and health monitoring, and loading on bridges and
structures
Full-scale structural performance monitoring and assessment of structures.
Dynamic-based structural integrity assessment.
Repair and strengthening of RC structures.
Vibration serviceability of civil infrastructure.
Bridge live loading.
4.3 Research topic areas
The research areas pursued in 2014 were:
Studies on modern concretes and materials.
Concrete mix design improvement through efficient use of supplementary
cementitious materials.
Service life models and prediction of service life.
Deterioration studies on concrete materials and structures.
Corrosion of reinforcing in RC structures – characterisation of corrosion rates.
- 7 -
Performance of different binder types in aggressive sewer environments.
Performance-based specifications for concrete structures.
Durability performance of concrete structures.
Development of the Durability Index Approach to improve quality of concrete
construction.
Studies on durability index testing and correlations with other international
approaches.
Structural monitoring and performance assessment of concrete structures.
Dynamic based condition assessment of RC structures.
Railway bridge reliability assessment based on monitoring.
Vibration serviceability of concrete floors and footbridges.
Ambient vibration testing of concrete dams.
Bridge loading.
Strengthening of RC structures using fibre reinforced polymers.
Repair and rehabilitation studies in concrete materials and structures.
Cracking behaviour of concrete overlays and patch repairs.
Studies on concrete sustainability issues.
- 8 -
5 IMPACT OF RESEARCH – HIGH LEVEL
The impact of research carried out in CoMSIRU, and more broadly in the postgraduate
teaching and research programme in Concrete Materials and Structural Integrity at
UCT, involves the following:
A growing change of mind-set to concrete durability in South Africa. The
discourse around this issue has changed markedly over the last 10 to 20 years, as
indicated by incorporation of some of our research outcomes into specifications
and codes of practice nationally, and a much greater concern with durability.
A sounder approach to condition assessment and strengthening of concrete
structures. This aspect of the Research Unit’s work has grown substantially in
the last 10 years.
Input into national codes and standards, where research findings are being
reflected.
Publications, specifically the series of Monographs that is produced and regularly
supplemented by new Monographs. As far as scientific papers are concerned,
the output of the Unit is substantial, and the vast majority appear in
internationally respected journals and conferences. An unintended consequence
of this is, however, that the work of the Unit is not always as visible to the local
community as it might be, and efforts need to be made in the future to remedy
this.
Local and international involvement and exposure of researchers in seminars,
symposia, conferences, etc. In addition, researchers serve on or lead local and
international organisations or technical committees of relevance to their areas
of research.
Existence of a laboratory and resources of national importance in concrete and
concrete structures. This is particularly to be seen in the light of the reduction
and loss in national agency resources, and to a significant degree, industry
resources in these areas.
Our Masters and Doctoral graduates are in high demand.
- 9 -
6 STUDENTS REGISTERED AND PROGRESS
In 2014, CoMSIRU had the following registered students: 2 Post-Doctoral researchers,
9 Doctoral, 20 Masters, as well as 4 MEng, giving a total of 35 postgraduate students.
There were also 17 undergraduate dissertation students who worked in our areas of
research for their final year projects. Graduation statistics show 2 PhD, 8 MSc (Eng),
and 1 MEng in 2014. Details are given in the tables below.
2014 REGISTRATION STATISTICS - POSTGRADUATE
Registration Total Female Male Black/Indian White Foreign South
African
Post Doc PhD MSc (Eng) MEng
2 9 20 4
0 3 6 0
2 6 14 4
0 9 13 3
2 0 7 1
2 9 9 4
0 0 11 0
Grand Total
35 9 26 25 10 24 11
2014 REGISTRATION STATISTICS - UNDERGRADUATE
Registration Total Female Male Black/Indian White Foreign South
African
4TH year thesis students
17 4 13 13 4 6 11
2014 GRADUATION STATISTICS - POSTGRADUATE
Graduation Total Female Male Black/Indian White Foreign South
African
PhD MSc (Eng) M Eng
2 8 1
1 3 0
1 5 1
2 6 0
0 2 1
2 2 0
0 6 1
Grand Total
11
4 7 8 3 4 7
- 10 -
6.1 Post Graduate students – details and research topics
POST GRADUATE STUDENTS 2014
MGA – Mark Alexander; HB – Hans Beushausen; PM – Pilate Moyo; VC – Vernon Collis
Name Super-visor/
Co-sup.
Degree registered
Year first reg.
Title of Research project Progress on project
F Busata PM Post Doc 2014 Dynamic Assessment and Structural Health Monitoring of Civil Engineering Structures
Completing Post Doc in May 2016
B Hohlig HB Post Doc 2014
Substrate moisture preparation & bond strength of concrete overlays; microstructure of the OTZ; Mix Parameters & Durability Indexes; Curing methods, compr. strength, DIs
Completing Post Doc in July 2015
R Heiyantu- duwa
MGA PhD 2004 Chloride prediction model for concrete durability.
Anticipated Completion 2015-16
R Muigai
MGA/ PM
PhD
2009
A framework for the design of more sustainable concrete structures
Graduated Dec 2014
M Otieno
HB/ MGA
PhD
2009
Development of a chloride-induced corrosion rate prediction model for marine tidal/splash exposure conditions
Graduated June 2014
R Gopinath MGA/ HB PhD 2011
A service life prediction model based on carbonation induced corrosion for South African conditions
Anticipated Completion 2015-16
M Kabani PM/ MGA PhD
2011
Time dependent bridge network reliability assessment with health monitoring
Anticipated Completion 2016
P Bukenya
PM/ HB PhD 2011 Dynamic characterization of concrete dams using operational modal analysis
Anticipated Completion 2016
G Nganga MGA/ HB PhD 2012 The use of low clinker cementitious materials in concrete
Anticipated Completion 2016
P Arito HB/ MGA PhD 2013
The optimisation of mix design parameters and constituents to minimise cracking in patch repair mortars
Anticipated Completion 2016
M Kiliswa MGA/ HB PhD 2013
The influence of sewer environment parameters on the deterioration of concrete sewer pipes
Anticipated Completion 2016-17
- 11 -
Name Super-visor/
Co-sup.
Degree registered
Year first reg.
Title of Research project Progress on project
G Golden MGA/ HB MSc (Eng) 2013 The effect of cyclic wetting and drying regimes on corrosion rate in rc structures
Graduating June 2015
N Bester HB/ MGA MSc (Eng) 2013 The influence of curing on restrained shrinkage cracking of bonded overlays
Graduating June 2015
M Tsoana HB/ PM MSc (Eng) 2013 Repair and service life extension of reinforced concrete structures
Graduating June 2015
N Makaring PM/ MGA MSc (Eng) 2013 Review of Methods of Analysing Safety of Large Concrete Arch Dams.
Graduating 2015
O Alao HB/ MGA MSc (Eng) 2013 Environmental classification for air-borne chloride exposure
Graduating June 2015
Y Amesu PM/ MGA MSc (Eng) 2013 Fatigue Reliability of Pre-stressed Reinforced Concrete Box-Girder Railway Bridges.
Graduating 2015
P Habimana PM/ HB MSc (Eng) 2013 Behaviour of FRP Strengthened RC Beams with Concrete Patch Repairs under Impact Loading.
Graduating 2015
L Mutale HB/ MGA MSc (Eng) 2012
An investigation into the relationship between surface concrete resistivity and chloride conductivity test
Graduated June 2014
T Mbanjwa PM/ HB MSc (Eng) 2013
Deterioration Mechanism Analysis of Bridges and Culverts in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Graduated Dec 2014
C Chibulu
HB/ MGA
MSc (Eng) 2014
Influence of cement extenders on early-age stress development and cracking potential of concrete overlays
Anticipated Graduation 2016
S Ross MGA/ VC MSc (Eng) 2011
Bamboo construction as a sustainable building technology from a structural and materials engineering perspective
Graduating end 2015
K Whitehead
MGA/ YB MSc (Eng) 2013 Environmental parameters ad their effects on cooling towers
Graduating end 2017
T Dladla PM/ HB MSc (Eng) 2011 The effect of varying damage lengths on patch repaired and strengthened beams
Graduated 2014
M Vezi PM/ MGA MSc (Eng) 2011 Dynamic modelling of arch dams in the ambient state
Graduated 2014
S Mundeli PM MSc (Eng) 2011
Behaviour of reinforced concrete beams patch repaired and strengthened with FRP: A numerical study
Graduated 2014
- 12 -
Name Super-visor/
Co-sup.
Degree
reg.
Year first registered
Title of Research project Progress on project
T Townshend
PM MSc
(Eng) 2011
A critical review of the current design guidelines for footbridges; with emphasis of the design for jogging forces
Graduated 2014
A Ruiters PM MSc
(Eng) 2011
Analytical behaviour of FRP strengthened concrete
Graduated 2014
F Mullajee PM MSc
(Eng) 2011
The Performance Assessment of Patch Repaired and CFRP strengthened RC T-Beams under Transverse impact loading
Graduated 2014
L Krause MGA MSc
(Eng) 2013
Durability assessment of the Gonubie main road continuously reinforced concrete pavement
Graduation expected for 2016
S Balendra HB MSc
(Eng) 2013
Performance approaches for concrete durability – developing a new framework for application
Graduation expected for 2016
O Baum HB MEng 2013
The influence of varying binder content and W/B ratio on concrete carbonation
Commenced 2013
J Kamara PM/ MGA M
Eng 2013
Risk-Based Bridge Management Strategies: Literature Review and Synthesis.
Graduating 2015
E Okwori PM/ MGA M
Eng 2013
An Investigation into the Application of Impact Echo Techniques in Non-Destructive Testing of RC Piles/Slender Members.
Graduating 2015
K Emma-Iwuoha
PM/ HB M
Eng 2013
Developing a Framework for Embodied Energy Assessment of Concrete Rehabilitation Options
Graduating 2015
- 13 -
6.2 Undergraduate students (final year dissertation students in our areas of research)
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS 2014
MGA – Mark Alexander; HB – Hans Beushausen; PM – Pilate Moyo
Name
Super-visor
Degree registered
Title of Research project
Sifiso Maseko MGA/
VC BSc (Eng)
Use and understanding of broken brick as concrete aggregate.
Syed Haider MGA/
VC BSc (Eng) Use and understanding of broken brick as concrete aggregate.
Zahir Baker MGA/
VC BSc (Eng) Clay brick technology in the old Cape
Sonwabile Madubela
MGA/ VC BSc (Eng)
Timber/Steel/Concrete – a comparison of design approaches
Luchelle Damons
MGA BSc (Eng)
Effects of fines (limestone fillers) on rheological properties of concrete
Rizwan Romjon MGA
BSc (Eng) Effects of fines (limestone fillers) on rheological properties of concrete
Samkelisiwe Ngubane
MGA BSc (Eng)
The development and performance of outfall sewers in Cape Town
Vishal Kummetha
HB BSc (Eng) The influence of re-vibration on concrete compressive strength
Arnesh Chetty HB
BSc (Eng) Abrasion resistance of concrete
Geoffrey Holmes
HB BSc (Eng) Structural behaviour of repaired concrete beams
Naashif Mowzer HB BSc (Eng) Polyurethane foams in the context of concrete repair
Robert Dawber HB
BSc (Eng) Substrate surface roughness versus overlay bond strength
William Smith HB
BSc (Eng) Round Robin: Concrete Core Compressive Strength Testing
Amanda Mashanyare
PM BSc (Eng) Dynamic Behaviour of Composite Concrete Bridges: Pre-cast Pre-stressed Beams and In-situ Cast Slabs
Bukhosi R. Nyoni
PM BSc (Eng) Dynamic Behaviour Assessment of Concrete Arch Dams Using The Finite Element Modelling Technique
Cédric Adam PM BSc (Eng) The Behaviour of Repaired and Strengthened Structures Under Impact Loading
Tanyaradzwa Ushamba
PM BSc (Eng) Finding the Relationship Between the Static Properties and the Water Level of Roode Elsberg Dam
- 14 -
7 PUBLICATIONS 2014
SUMMARY OF PUBLICATION STATISTICS
Year TOTAL
Refereed Journals
Books/ Chapters
International Conferences
Other Outputs
Accepted/Submitted For publication
2014 45 7 3 11 12 12
2013 24 8 1 9 1 5
2012 33 10 2 15 1 5
2011 44 13 5 9 3 14
Average 37 10 3 11 4 9
7.1 Books
ALEXANDER, M.G. Chapter for AAR2 update on Alkali Aggregate reactivity, edited by A Poole and I Sims, originally by Swamy. ALEXANDER, M.G. Several chapters for a book on concrete durability, co-authored by S Mindess and A Bentur. To be published by T&F in 2015 ALEXANDER, M.G. Design and durability of marine concrete structures. New book proposed by Woodhead Publishers (Imprint of Elsevier). Edited by Professor Mark G. Alexander, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Expected date of publication: end 2015.
7.2 Refereed/peer reviewed journals
OTIENO, M.B., BEUSHAUSEN, H. and ALEXANDER, M.G. “Effect of chemical composition of slag on chloride penetration resistance of concrete.” Cement & Concrete Composites, Vol. 46 (2014), pp. 56-64. ALEXANDER, M.G. and NGANGA, G. “Reinforced concrete durability: some recent developments in performance-based approaches”. Journal of Sustainable Cement-based Materials, 2014. Vol. 3 (1): 1-12. DOI. 10.1080/21650373.2013.876372 BEUSHAUSEN, H., GILLMER, M. and ALEXANDER, M.G., “The influence of superabsorbent polymers on strength and durability properties of blended cement mortars”. Cement & Concrete Composites, 52 (2014), pp. 73-80.
BEUSHAUSEN, H. and GILLMER, M. (2014), ‘The use of superabsorbent polymers to reduce cracking of bonded mortar overlays’, Cement and Concrete Composites, superabsorbent polymers on strength and durability properties of blended cement mortars’, Cement and Concrete Composites 52 (2014), pp. 1-8.
DITTMER, T., BEUSHAUSEN, H. (2014), ‘The effect of coarse aggregate content and size on the age at cracking of bonded concrete overlays subjected to restrained deformation’, Construction and Building Materials, Vol 69, October 2014, pp. 73-82.
- 15 -
P BUKENYA, P MOYO, H. BEUSHAUSEN and C. OOSTHUIZEN (2014).Health monitoring of concrete dams: a literature review. J Civil Struct Health Monit (2014) 4:235–244. BEUSHAUSEN, H. and ALEXANDER, M.G., “Early-age properties of concrete containing various types of granulated slag”. CPI International, 2- April 2014, pp. 40-45.
7.3 Proceedings of refereed international conferences
GOYNS, A. and ALEXANDER, M.G. “Performance of various concretes in the Virginia Experimental Sewer over 20 years”. Calcium Aluminate Conference, Avignon, France, May 2014. MOTSIELOA, N., ALEXANDER, M.G., and BEUSHAUSEN, H. “Acid resistance of calcium aluminate cement concrete blended with supplementary cementitious materials for application in sewer pipes”. Calcium Aluminate Conference, Avignon, France, May 2014. KILISWA, M., ALEXANDER, M.G., and BEUSHAUSEN, H. “Biogenic corrosion of concrete sewer pipes: a review of the performance of cementitious materials”. XIII DBMC Conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sep 2014. NGANGA, G., ALEXANDER, M.G. and BEUSHAUSEN, H. “Quality control of reinforced concrete structures for durability”. XIII DBMC Conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sep 2014. ALEXANDER, M.G. and MUIGAI, R. “Suitable single-score life-cycle environmental assessment metrics for reinforced concrete structures”. Proceedings, Asian Concrete Federation Conference, Seoul, S. Korea, 4 pp. NGANGA, G., ALEXANDER, M.G. and BEUSHAUSEN, H. (2014). “The design of concrete mixes with reduced clinker content”. Presented at the 34th Cement and Concrete Science Conference, University of Sheffield, 14 – 16th September, 2014, Sheffield, UK GOPINATH, R., and ALEXANDER, M.G. “Predicting depth of carbonation of concrete - a performance-based approach”. MODCON Conference, Beijing, China, Oct. 2014. ALAO, O. O., ALEXANDER, M.G., and BEUSHAUSEN, H. “Understanding the influence of marine microclimates on the durability performance of RC structures”. ICCMats, Jhb, Nov 2014 F., BUSATTA & P. MOYO, (2014) “Design of a Monitoring System for the Olifants River Viaduct”, SAHH Conference 2014 - Johannesburg, 8-9 September 2014 P. BUKENYA, P. MOYO & C. OOSTHUIZEN (2014) “Long Term Ambient Vibration Monitoring of Roode Elsberg Dam –Initial Results”, Proceedings of the ICOLD 2014 International symposium on dams in global environmental challenges, Bali, Indonesia, 1-6 June, 2014, pp 594 – 602 P BUKENYA, P MOYO, and C. OOSTHUIZEN (2014) “Towards long term dynamic monitoring of Roode Elsberg dam”, Proceedings of the SANCOLD Conference, 4-7 November 2014
- 16 -
7.4 Proceedings of other conferences and symposia
ALEXANDER, M.G. and MUIGAI, R. “Durability and service life prediction: current challenges”. Presented at Anna Maria XV, Florida, November 2014 NGANGA, G., ALEXANDER, M.G., and BEUSHAUSEN, H. (2014), ‘The design of concrete mixes with reduced clinker content”, 34th Cement and Concrete Science Conference, Sheffield, UK, September 2013, 4 pp. GOPINATH, R., ALEXANDER, M.G., and BEUSHAUSEN, H. (2014), ‘Predicting depth of carbonation of concrete – a performance-based approach’, RILEM International Symposium on Concrete Modelling, Beijing, China, October 2014 BEUSHAUSEN, H. (2014), ‘The principles of performance based design for concrete durability’, Keynote Lecture, RILEM Workshop on Performance-based Design and Quality Control of Concrete Structures, Zagreb, Croatia, June 2014, 7 pp
7.5 Editor of conference proceedings
BJEGOVIC, D., BEUSHAUSEN, H., and SERDAR, M. (2014) (editors), ‘Performance-based Design and Quality Control of Concrete Durability’, Proceedings of the International RILEM Workshop, Zagreb, Croatia, June 2014, 657 pp
7.6 Oral Presentations:
ALEXANDER, M.G. “Principles of durability design for concrete structures”. Keynote lecture at ICI Workshop on “Achieving durable concrete construction through performance testing”, IITB, Mumbai, 01 Feb 2014, and IITM, Chennai, 03 Feb 2014. ALEXANDER, M.G. “Alkalis in cement & concrete – their nature and role”. Concrete Society of SA, W. Cape Branch MTM, 29 May 2014. ALEXANDER, M.G. “Performance-based approaches for concrete durability in South Africa”. Keynote Presentation, RILEM TC-PSC: International Workshop on Performance-Based Specification and Control of Concrete Durability, Zagreb, Croatia, 11 - 13 June 2014. ALEXANDER, M.G. “Aggregates and their properties in concrete”. Lecture to CSSA National Seminar ConSem2014 – Materials for Modern Concrete, June 2014. ALEXANDER, M.G. “Concrete for the common man”. Lecture to ICI (Indian Concrete Institute) Concrete Awards Day, Chennai, 18 Sep 2014.
- 17 -
7.7 Papers in non-peer reviewed journals; un-refereed articles
MUIGAI, R. LINSEL, S and ALEXANDER, M.G. “Comparative assessment of the environmental performance of structural concrete made using recycled concrete aggregates”. Hochschule Karlsruhe Technik und Wirtschaft: Forschung aktuell, 2014, pp. 27-31, ISSN 1613-4958. KILISWA, M. and ALEXANDER, M.G. “Towards developing a cementitious lining to withstand biogenic sulphuric acid attack – in new concrete sewer pipe applications”. CPI Journal, Issue 5, 2014, pp. 142-145.
7.8 Papers accepted or submitted for publication or presentation:
MUIGAI, R., ALEXANDER, M.G. and MOYO, P. “A Review of Life-Cycle Assessment Studies on Concrete Frame Buildings”, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, (2013). RSER-D-12-00160R1 Corrections sent 02 June 2014; Accepted for publication. KESSY, J.G., ALEXANDER, M.G. and BEUSHAUSEN, H. “Concrete durability standards: international trends and the South African context”. SAICE, Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering. Accepted August 2014. DITTMER, T., and BEUSHAUSEN, H. (2014), ‘The effect of coarse aggregate content and size on the age at cracking of bonded concrete overlays subjected to restrained deformation’, Construction and Building Materials, accepted March 2014.
BEUSHAUSEN, H., and DITTMER, T. (2014), ‘The influence of aggregate type on the strength and elastic modulus of high strength concrete, Construction and Building Materials, accepted May 2014.
BEUSHAUSEN, D., SALVOLDI, B., and ALEXANDER, M.G., “Oxygen permeability of concrete and its relation to carbonation”, submitted to CBM, Aug 214. BEUSHAUSEN, H., MARTIN, M. and ALEXANDER, M.G. (2014), ‘’The influence of in-situ curing methods on concrete compressive strength and durability indicators”, Materials and Structures, submitted August 2014. MUIGAI, R., ALEXANDER, M.G., and MOYO, P. “A novel framework towards the design of more sustainable concrete infrastructure”. Accepted, M&S, Nov. 2014; Corrections done Feb 2015. OTIENO, M., BEUSHAUSEN, H., and ALEXANDER, M.G. (2014), ‘Chloride-induced corrosion of steel in cracked concrete – Part I: Experimental studies under accelerated and natural marine environments’, Cement & Concrete Research, submitted July 2014
OTIENO, M., BEUSHAUSEN, H., and ALEXANDER, M.G. (2014), ‘Chloride-induced corrosion of steel in cracked concrete – Part II: Corrosion rate prediction models and sensitivity analyses’, Cement & Concrete Research, submitted July 2014 OTIENO, M., BEUSHAUSEN, H., and ALEXANDER, M.G. (2014), ‘Resistivity versus corrosion risk in cracked RC structures’, Cement and Concrete Composites, submitted July 2014.
BEUSHAUSEN, H. (2014), ‘Modelling the age at cracking of bonded concrete overlays subjected to restrained shrinkage’, Materials and Structures, submitted August 2014
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SALVOLDI, B., BEUSHAUSEN, H., and ALEXANDER, M.G. (2014), ‘The correlation between oxygen permeability and the carbonation of concrete’, Construction and Building Materials, submitted August 2014
7.9 Papers in preparation:
SCOTT, A. and ALEXANDER, M.G. “Effects of cement extenders on pore solution chemistry and the role of sulphur species in the corrosion of steel in alkaline environments”. In preparation, Sep 2014. NGANGA, G.W. ALEXANDER, M.G., BEUSHAUSEN, H. and MUKADAM, Z. “The durability index performance-based approach: a review”. Further work still needed. OTIENO, M.B., ALEXANDER, M.G. and BEUSHAUSEN, H. “A hypothetical framework for the interpretation of resistivity measurements in terms of corrosion risk in cracked RC structures”. [The ACI reviewers requested for more experimental details but I don’t want to do this before the corrosion rate prediction model papers – see below. The paper was mainly based on my MSc results!] OTIENO, M.B., BEUSHAUSEN, H. and ALEXANDER, M.G. “Chloride-induced corrosion of steel in cracked RC structures – Part I: Experimental studies under accelerated and natural marine environments”. In preparation, June 2014 OTIENO, M.B., BEUSHAUSEN, H. and ALEXANDER, M.G. “Chloride-induced corrosion of steel in cracked RC structures – Part II: Corrosion rate prediction models and sensitivity analyses”. In preparation, June 2014 MICHEL, A., OTIENO, M., STANG, H., BEUSHAUSEN, H., ALEXANDER, M.G., and GEIKER, M. R. “Propagation of steel corrosion in concrete: experimental and numerical investigations”. In preparation, June 2014
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8 AWARDS, PRIZES, AND APPOINTMENTS DURING 2014 Prof Alexander is President of RILEM (International Union of Laboratories and Experts
in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures, France) for 2012-2015.
MGA: Elected Director and Board member of Concrete Society of Southern Africa,
March 2014
Dr Chris Oosthuizen (Panel Member) is currently Chairman of the ICOLD Technical
Committee on Dam Surveillance. He received the SANCOLD 2013 Award for an
outstanding contribution to Dam Engineering in South Africa.
Dr Sifiso Nhleko was awarded the C V Raman International Fellowship for African
Researchers, by the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology.
A/Prof Hans Beushausen: Appointment as the African Management Committee
Observer for European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action TU1406
(Quality specifications for roadway bridges, standardization at a European level)
Mr Mike Otieno and Mr Philemon Arito: Carnegie Scholars in the Department of Civil
Engineering.
Dr Mike Otieno, PhD graduate and Carnegie research scholar, was appointed to a
lectureship at the University of the Witwatersrand from March 2014.
Dr Rachel Muigai, PhD graduate, was appointed to a lectureship at the University of
Johannesburg from April 2015.
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9 RESEARCH IMPACTS AND RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS FOR YEAR UNDER REVIEW
9.1 Durability test methods and standards
Durability test methods that have been under research development for more than
a decade are now within the SABS system for acceptance as national standards. Also,
the revision of SANS10100-2 will incorporate research outputs in terms of concrete
durability clauses.
9.2 Number of student graduates and publications
There continues to be an excellent number of student graduates and publication
outputs over the past year, as can be seen under the relevant headings.
9.3 New approaches
New approaches from the research continue to be used in major national
construction projects. For example: the structural health monitoring work is now
being used in evaluating a growing number of large concrete dams; evaluation and
strengthening of major railway bridge infrastructure is being brought into the
research effort; deterioration and durability studies are increasingly being carried
out on affected infrastructure; research on concrete patch mortars is increasingly
used to change construction practice for major repair projects in South Africa;
performance-based design and quality control methods are increasingly applied to
concrete repair projects; chloride ingress prediction models developed at UCT are
applied in practice for service life modelling of major local infrastructure.
9.4 International
On account of our research activities, international contributions are made and
sought: The State-of-the-Art-Report of RILEM TC-230 (Chaired by Associate Prof Hans
Beushausen) on performance based specifications for concrete durability has been
completed and will be published in 2015, summarizing developments in performance-
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based design approaches worldwide. This document is intended to serve as a
reference guide for development and application of durability specifications.
Prof Alexander is now serving on two RILEM Technical Committees, with certain of
his PG students: a) deterioration of concrete materials in aggressive bio-
environments, b) corrosion of steel in RC
10 COLLABORATIONS AND LINKAGES
10.1 Local collaborations
CoMSIRU has strong links with the University of the Witwatersrand. A portion of the
research programme is jointly administered with Wits University and certain funding
arrangements exist.
CoMSIRU also has strong links with the University of Stellenbosch through students
undertaking courses at UCT and Stellenbosch (movement both ways), through co-
supervision arrangements, and via research links.
Dr C Oosthuizen is actively involved in research and teaching within CoMSIRU. In
2014 he mentored a number of our post graduate students (MSc and PhD) and taught
in the course, CIV5118Z: Safety of Special Structures.
Mr Josiah Mpofu from Transet is actively involved in teaching within CoMSIRU. In
2014 he taught in the course CIV5067Z: Advanced Infrastructure Management.
10.2 International Collaborations
Prof Santhanam from IIT Madras is an Honorary Research Associate of CoMSIRU. Visits
by researchers between IIT Madras and UCT are regularly undertaken. Co-supervision
arrangements are also in place. Student exchanges are beginning to occur. IIT Madras
has significant strengths in analytical areas that UCT finds valuable. Prof Alexander
spent two periods totalling about 3 months at IITM in 2014 while on a sabbatical, and
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participated in postgraduate teaching and student supervision, national workshops
organised by the ICI, and local lectures to other academic and professional
institutions.
By virtue of his RILEM Presidency, Prof Alexander also undertook substantial
travelling in 2014: Korean Concrete Institute, Korea - Asian Concrete Federation
Conference, Sep 2014; Launch of the RILEM-CHINA Group, Hong Kong, Aug 2014; ACI
Fall Convention, Washington, Oct 2014; Annual RILEM Week, Sao Paulo, Sep 2014.
Prof A Bentur, Technion, Haifa, Israel. A Student and Staff Exchange Agreement is
now in place between CoMSIRU and Technion in Israel, having been negotiated in
2011-12. The first two UCT students took up these arrangements in late 2012/2013.
Prof Bentur also teaches on our PG courses occasionally.
Prof Oded Rabinovitch, Technion, Haifa, Israel. A link has been established between
CoMSIRU and Technion in Israel, specific to Structural Integrity research.
Prof Steffen Marx, University of Hanover Germany. A link has been established
between CoMSIRU and University of Hannover.
A strong link exists between CoMSIRU and the University of Leipzig in Germany,
relating to joint research projects, joint research leadership in the International
Concrete Federation (fib) and the joint organization of international conferences
Other active international collaborations are:
Prof Karen Scrivener EPFL Lausanne Lausanne
Prof Sidney Mindess UBC Vancouver
Prof Douglas Hooton University of Toronto Toronto
Dr Peter Taylor Iowa State University Iowa
Prof James Brownjohn University of Sheffield UK
Prof Suresh Bhalla IIT Delhi India
Dr Giovanna Concu University of Cagliari Italy
Prof Oded Rabinovitch Technion Israel
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Prof Barbara De Nicolo University of Cagliari Italy
Prof
Dr
Alvaro Cuhna
Allan Scott
University of Porto
Canterbury University
Portugal
New Zealand
10.3 Visiting Scholars and Researchers
Professor Steffen Marx of TU Hanover, Germany, visited CoMSIRU in October 2014
and presented two-day course on Railway Bridge in Cape Town, Johannesburg and
Durban.
Professor Joost Walraven of TU Delft, the Netherlands, visited CoMSIRU in June 2014
and presented two-day workshops on the design of post-tensioned concrete
structures in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
Prof Suresh Bhalla, IIT Delhi, India, visited the Department in September 2014 and
lectured in our post-graduate course, CIV5119Z: Structural Performance Assessment
and Monitoring
Prof Paul Reynolds, University of Exeter, UK, visited the Department in September
2014 and lectured in our Postgraduate course, CIV5119Z: Structural Performance
Assessment and Monitoring.
Profs James Brownjohn and Alex Pavic, University Exeter, UK, visited the Department
in August 2014 and presented a two day course on vibration design of floors in Cape
Town and Johannesburg.
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10.4 CoMSIRU Advisory Panel
Name Company/Institution E-mail
Josiah Mpofu Transnet [email protected]
Vernon Collis Collis and Associates [email protected]
Wandile
Nomquphu Water Research Commission
Steve Crosswell PPC [email protected]
Paul Adams SIKA [email protected]
Manu Santhanam Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras [email protected]
Mark Alexander UCT [email protected]
Pilate Moyo UCT [email protected]
Hans Beushausen UCT [email protected]
Yunus Ballim WITS [email protected]
Sifiso Nhleko National Nuclear Regulator [email protected]
Bryan Perrie TCI [email protected]
Mike McDonald Afrisam [email protected]
Eduardo Auger PPC [email protected]
Mike Otieno WITS [email protected]
Chris Oosthuizen Department of Water Affairs [email protected]
Chris Botha Aveng Grinaker-LTA [email protected]
Enzo Menegaldo Haw and Inglis [email protected]
Billy Boshoff SUN [email protected]
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10.5 Industrial Linkages
Industrial linkages Personal contact Nature of Linkage
1 Cement Industry, via TCI
Mr B. Perrie, other TCI staff, Ms M. De Jager (Library), and Information Centre
Personal contact is maintained. C&CI closed at the beginning of 2013 and was replaced by TCI.
2 PPC Mr E Auger, Mr S Crosswell
Personal contact is maintained. One of our THRIP Industry Partners.
3 ESKOM Mr T Courtney Personal contact is maintained. Contact is had with other ESKOM staff when particular problems arise.
4 Dept. of Water Affairs Dr C Oosthuizen Research on dam safety.
5 AfriSam Mr M McDonald
Regular contact is had directly with the Cement Company, in order to review their needs and help set priorities.
6 Water Research Commission Mr W Nomquphu Research on dam safety.
7 Sika Mr P Adams, Mr W Smithers
Sika is sponsoring research undertaken by CoMSIRU
8 Lafarge Mr Craig Mills, Mr Sibu Hlatshwayo, Mr Des Maharaj
Regular contact is had directly with the Cement Company, in order to review their needs and help set priorities.
9 Sephaku Mr Pieter Fourie, Mr Hennie van Heerden
Regular contact is had directly with the Cement Company, in order to review their needs and help set priorities.
10 Transnet Mr Josiah Mpofu Research on railway bridges and structures.
11 NNR Dr. Sifiso Nhleko Research on nuclear structures.
13 Haw & Inglis Mr Enzo Menegaldo New sponsor for CoMSIRU
14 Aveng Mr Chris Botha New sponsor for CoMSIRU
12 Misc. Consultancies, Contractors, Public Authorities
Various Queries, specialist lab work, limited consultancies carried out.
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11 CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS
Organiser (O)/ Attendee (A) Title of Conference/ workshop/seminar & Venue No. of
Attendees
MGA (Sci. Cttee); AG/NM (A) Calcium Aluminate Conference, Avignon, France,
May 2014 Ca. 200
MGA (A) Asian Concrete Federation Conference, Seoul, S.
Korea, 22-24 Sep 2014. Ca. 400
HB (O/A), MGA (A)
RILEM Conference on Performance-based
Specifications and Control of Concrete Durability,
Keynote lecture presented (HB and MGA), Zagreb,
Croatia, June 2014
Ca. 160
MGA (A) RILEM Conference: Deterioration of Building
Materials, Sao Paulo, Sep 2014. Presented a paper. Ca. 150
MGA
Aggregates and their properties in concrete”.
Lecture to CSSA National Seminar ConSem2014 –
Materials for Modern Concrete, June 2014 (4
centres).
Ca. 250
MGA (A)
Concrete for the common man”. Lecture to ICI
(Indian Concrete Institute) Concrete Awards Day,
Chennai, 18 Sep 2014.
Ca. 200
MGA (A) Anna Maria XV Conference, Holmes Beach, Florida,
Nov 2014. Presented a lecture Ca. 40
PM/PB (A) SANCOLD 2014, 4-7 November 2014 Ca. 250
PM /FB(A) SAHH Conference 2014 - Johannesburg, 8-9
September 2014 Ca. 150
PM (A)
ICOLD 2014 International symposium on dams in
global environmental challenges, Bali, Indonesia,
June 1st – 6th , 2014
Ca. 1000
PM(O)
Various CPD courses: Durability & Condition
Assessment Of Concrete, Repair & Rehabilitation Of
Concrete Structures, Safety Of Special Structures,
Advanced Infrastructure Management, Design of
railway bridges, Design of floors for vibration
serviceability
Ca. 100
GN (A) 34th Cement and Concrete Science Conference,
September 2014, University of Sheffield. Ca. 400
RG (A) MODCON Conference, Beijing, China, Oct. 2014. Ca. 200
OA (A) ICCMats, Jhb, Nov 2014. Ca. 150
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12 ACTIVITIES OF AND COLLABORATION WITH HRAs
CoMSIRU has three Honorary Research Associates:
Prof Manu Santhanam, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai,
India
Prof Santhanam spent a sabbatical period of 6 months at UCT in 2010. During this
period, he worked with us on aspects specifically related to durability performance-
based specifications, and provided valuable input for the current revision of SANS
10100. He also interacted extensively with the postgraduate students. He has
recently been a co-supervisor for an MSc project on particle packing and its influence
on concrete durability.
Mr Vernon Collis, Independent Consultant, Cape Town
Mr Collis provides much of the intellectual background to the projects on
sustainability being undertaken in CoMSIRU. He co-supervises several MSc students,
as well as providing oversight and supervision to several final year thesis students.
Through his practical work, he also feeds in opportunities for students and staff to
be involved in unusual external work.
Dr Sifiso Nhleko, National Nuclear Regulator
Dr Nhleko holds a BSc (Honours) degree in Civil Engineering, as well as an MSc degree
in Structural Engineering, both received from the University of Cape Town. In 2008
he joined the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, where
he obtained his PhD in the field of Structural Dynamics. He is currently employed by
the National Nuclear Regulator of South Africa, as a Civil and Structural Engineer.
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13 LAB AND OTHER EXTERNAL WORK UNDERTAKEN
Major external work carried out by Prof Alexander in 2013, included, inter alia:
Conclusion of work on the shotcrete linings of the Gautrain Tunnel, with a
successful arbitration
Input into several contracts for windfarms, specifically temperature issues in
large concrete bases
Work for Lafarge Mauritius on aspects of their concrete mixes and materials
Prof Moyo regularly consults and advises industry on vibration problems, integrity
assessment finite element modelling and calibration. Examples of projects
undertaken in 2014 include, Non-destructive testing and evaluation of a large
industrial floor, vibration assessment of a large cement factory, integrity evaluation
of large RC concrete oil tanks.
A/Prof Beushausen is very active in a wide range of external work – much of it related
to durability assessments, structural evaluations, and development of repair and
maintenance strategies for reinforced concrete structures. Major projects in 2014
included the condition assessment and repair of the containment structures at
Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant. CoMSIRU further undertook a condition assessment and
development of repair strategies for the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town.
A/Prof Beushausen manages the
concrete laboratory services for
the construction industry at UCT,
which involved about 70 projects
in 2014. Much of this work is
carried out with student
involvement.
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14 CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
The Department of Civil Engineering, via CoMSIRU, launched a new postgraduate
specialisation programme in Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance
(CIMM) in February 2013. The programme offers a broad suite of knowledge and
skills including asset management, project management, maintenance, repair and
rehabilitation of civil infrastructure. This programme accords with the South African
Government’s Immoveable Asset Management Act of 2007, the South African
Government National Development Plan, vision 2013 and National Infrastructure
Maintenance Strategies proposed by the Department of Works, 2006, the Department
of Water Affairs, 2008, and the Department of Transport, 2008.
The programme seeks to train high-level human recourses [MSc, MEng and PhD] to
address human capital shortages in this area. This should stimulate research and
development in Infrastructure Management and maintenance, leading to innovative
solutions to address challenges associated with infrastructure management and
maintenance. Thus there is potential to create jobs in this sector as the number of
professionals and innovative solutions grow. To date a total of 21 postgraduate
students: 3 MSc (Eng) and 18 MEng students (by coursework) have registered on the
programme. In addition there are more than 150 students enrolled in CIMM courses
for continuing professional development (CPD).
The following courses were offered in 2014:
CIV5116Z: Durability & Condition Assessment of Concrete
Structures
CON5016Z Project Planning and Implementation
CIV5067Z: Advanced Infrastructure Management
CIV5115Z: Bridge Management & Maintenance
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15 ORGANISATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
15.1 Governance
CoMSIRU is overseen by its three directors, Professor M Alexander, Professor P Moyo
and Assoc Professor H Beushausen. Regular meetings are held by these three
directors to discuss teaching, research, administration and budget issues.
CoMSIRU is serviced administratively and financially by a Research Administrative
Finance Officer. This has been Ms Elly Yelverton who retired in December 2014, and
is now Mr Werner Van der Ross, appointed in December 2014. Elly has been retained
part-time until June 2015 to ensure overlap with Werner.
15.2 Organogram
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15.3 Staff active in the research unit for 2014
Prof M G Alexander (Team Leader); Prof P Moyo; A/Prof H-D Beushausen; Mr V Collis
(Pr. Eng, Hon. Res Assoc.); Dr C Oosthuizen (Department of Water and Sanitation),
Prof M Santhanam (Indian Institute of Technology Madras); Dr S Nhleko (Pr. Eng, Hon.
Res Assoc, National Nuclear Regulator) Mr C May, Mr L Adams and Mr D Ferus
(Laboratory Assistants); Ms E Yelverton and Mr W Van der Ross (Research
Administrative Finance Officer).
15.4 Staffing movements and challenges
As indicated earlier, Mrs Elly Yelverton retired at the end of 2014, but was retained
on a P/T basis for 6 months in 2015 to ensure a smooth transition. Mr Werner Van
der Ross joined CoMSIRU in December 2014 as the new Administrative Officer. We
continue to give F/T employment to Mr Leonard Adams in the laboratory on account
of the amount of work generated by CoMSIRU.
Prof Mark Alexander will retire from UCT at the end of 2015. Plans are in place for a
new appointment to the academic staff of the department. CoMSIRU Directors are
working to have a smooth transition, with a minimal amount of disruption. Prof Pilate
Moyo will take over as Director from January 2016. The intention is for Prof
Alexander to be retained in the department and CoMSIRU as a Senior Research
Scholar, which will allow him to continue to supervise PG students, work with
younger researchers on developing their research profiles, etc. He will continue as
past President of RILEM from September 2015 – Sep 2018.
MAJOR FUTURE RISKS/OPPORTUNITIES
15.5 Risks
Risks to CoMSIRU in the coming years encompass: staffing changes (retirement of
Prof Mark Alexander and a new academic appointment in the department); sustained
funding from our major funders, and also additional funders currently being
approached (mainly construction companies); and possible prolonged downturn in
the civil engineering and construction industries; difficulty in attracting SA students
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into the PG programme and research; difficulty of working with Government in terms
of their skills shortages.
15.6 Opportunities
Opportunities involve:
a) Possibility of expanding our offerings to government – national, provincial, and
local – in terms of their skills and knowledge needs; possibility to work closer with
our industry partners in terms of their technology needs and higher-level skills
development through:
i. Expansion of the CIMM Programme & (subject to staffing continuity);
Since its inception the CIMM programme has attracted students from a wide
range of organisations including consulting engineers. Worth noting is the
more targeted involvement of engineers from the Department of Water
and Sanitation (DWASA).
ii. Expansion of CPD programme (subject to staffing continuity)
CoMSIRU in collaboration with Transnet Freight Rail initiated a programme
to train engineers on infrastructure management and maintenance. In
2014 4 CPD type courses were offered to TFR engineers and technicians.
Interaction with TFR has given CoMSIRU insight on training needs and
courses offered in 2014 have been revised to meet these needs. CoMSIRU
would like to open these courses to other organisations such as ESKOM,
SANRAL, etc.
b) Possibilities with our industrial sponsors – mainly the construction companies – in
terms of assisting in retaining their skills base and contributing to their research
needs;
c) Continuous and sustained involvement of postdoc students in CoMSIRU;
d) Expansion of laboratory capacity to handle increasing external work from
industry;
e) Possibility to rejuvenate the staffing if Prof Alexander’s post is filled in the
research areas of CoMSIRU.
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16 APPENDICES
Ten post graduate students graduated during 2014. A condensed version of their
research as represented by Abstracts from their theses is available on the CoMSIRU
website http://www.comsiru.uct.ac.za/about-us/people.html.
The dissertation titles are:
Student Name
Title
R Muigai A Framework for the Design of more Sustainable Concrete Structures.
M Otieno
Development of a chloride-induced corrosion rate prediction model for marine
tidal/splash exposure conditions.
L Mutale An investigation into the relationship between surface concrete resistivity and chloride
conductivity test
T Mbanjwa Deterioration Mechanism Analysis of Bridges and Culverts in the Western Cape, South
Africa.
T Dladla The effect of varying damage lengths on patch repaired and strengthened beams
M Vezi Dynamic modelling of arch dams in the ambient state
S Mundeli
Behaviour of reinforced concrete beams patch repaired and strengthened with FRP: A
numerical study
T Townshend A critical review of the current design guidelines for footbridges; with emphasis of the
design for jogging forces
A Ruiters Analytical behaviour of FRP strengthened concrete
F Mullajee The Performance Assessment of Patch Repaired and CFRP strengthened RC T-Beams
under Transverse impact loading
